April 10, 2025 - On Tuesday, President Trump signed an executive order called the “Unleashing American Energy Executive Order,” and Wyoming representatives have applauded the move.

By signing the order, Trump has directed government agencies to identify federal lands where coal could possibly be mined. The order also prioritizes federal leasing on those lands.

Trump is also ordering the federal government to promote U.S. coal for exportation, use in powering AI data centers and more. 

Wyoming’s delegation applauded the move, and Gov. Gordon was even on site with Trump when the president signed the order.

“At the request of President Donald Trump, Governor Mark Gordon joined the nation’s Chief Executive, Cabinet Secretaries Doug Burgum and Chris Wright, Wyoming’s Congressional Delegation, and energy industry leaders in the East Room of the White House today for the signing of Executive Orders (EOs) that will strengthen Wyoming’s energy industry while demonstrating America’s commitment to domestic energy,” a release from the governor’s office states. “The Cowboy State is the nation’s top coal producer. President Trump believes that coal is essential to our national and economic security.”

According to Gordon’s release, the EO directs agencies to “remove barriers” to coal mining on federal lands. It also designates coal as a mineral, under a previous executive order, which accelerates the permitting process for new mines on federal lands.

“This is a great day for Wyoming coal,” Gov. Gordon said. “We produce more coal than any other state in the nation. These Executive Orders will be impactful for our state’s coal industry and will help ensure Wyoming coal is available to help meet our nation’s growing energy demand. I thank President Trump for his work in freeing our country from the unnecessarily burdensome regulations imposed on the coal industry by the Biden Administration.”

Sen. Cynthia Lummis also praised the move, calling the signing a “pro-coal” executive order.

“I am thrilled that President Trump is reversing the failed energy policies of the Biden administration and officially lifting this ridiculous moratorium on federal coal leasing,” said Lummis. “The previous administration’s anti-science, anti-energy, anti-Wyoming policies cost good paying jobs, increased energy costs, and played into the hands of America’s adversaries. President Trump knows that increased American energy is a strength, not a weakness. As America’s leading coal-producing state, Wyoming stands ready and able to support President Trump’s initiative to expand and Unleash American Energy.”

Sen. John Barrasso praised the move as well, calling coal “one of the most affordable, reliable, and abundant sources of energy on the planet.”

Barrasso said that he and Sen. Lummis “will always support Wyoming coal miners.”

Wyoming Secretary of State Chuck Gray applauded the move, too.

At the signing of the order, Trump called coal “liquid gold under our feet.”

“Supporting our coal industry will increase our energy supply, lower electricity costs, stabilize our grid, create high-paying jobs, support burgeoning industries, and assist our allies,” Trump said.

The governor’s release noted that, in the past three years, 17 power plants in 11 different states have announced closure deferrals. In 2024, 17 power plants consumed 30.5 million tons of Wyoming’s coal, which earned Wyoming more than $90 million in revenue.

“While the EOs are a great first step, the real focus must not only be extending the life of coal-fired generating plants nearing retirement, but to actually pave the way to building new power plants,” Gov. Gordon added. “These are essential to our future. Wyoming is ready to lead the way and be a partner in that process.